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The National Youth Authority (NYA), has advised the youth of Ghana particularly to continue to uphold the positive values of solidarity, peaceful coexistence, friendship, cooperation and patriotism which remain firm pillars of Pan-Africanism.

Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, Mr. Emmanuel Sin-nyet Asigri made the call as part of activities to launch this year’s Africa Youth Day which is observed on the 1st of November each year to shed light on the important contributions made by young Africans to the development of their local communities.

In a statement to herald the day, Mr. Asigri on behalf of the Authority expressed his deepest appreciation to the youth of Ghana for their efforts at forging unity that has sustained the country’s stable political environment and the resultant growth in democratic principles that has earned the country its enviable democratic credentials, noting that it is on the basis of such efforts that he is able to reach out and engage them at the same time as affording government the needed platform to continue on its path at providing opportunities that arms them to handle the challenges of today’s increasingly globalized society.

He nonetheless expressed regret at some instances in recent times when a section of irate youth from some communities notably Abura-Dunkwa in the Central Region, Ada in the Greater Accra Region and Oda in the Eastern Region went on rampage, causing mayhem and destroying public and private property in the process, as a means to seek redress for their grievances and cautioned the youth to exercise restraint in the event of extreme provocation, stating that such excesses merely go to thwart the good and noble efforts of government at working to mitigate the persistent developmental challenges that confront their communities and the nation at large. Mr. Asigri further added his voice to the call by the National Chief Imam to youth within the Islamic community to allow peace to prevail and pursue nonviolent initiatives to restore order following recent security breaches in some parts of Accra after some youth angrily reacted to perceived unsavory comments emanating from a rival Muslim cleric and also on the issue of the moslem seven in Kumasi.

Whilst admonishing the youth to remain calm, assist and cooperate with law enforcement agencies in investigations, he went on to assure them that the Authority is doing all within its mandate to support them to become worthy citizens and ambassadors of positive social change in their respective communities.
Touching on some flagship programs of the Authority that have already began yielding fruits especially in the area of jobs creation, Mr. Asigri mentioned the Steps Towards Employment and Productivity (STEP) project which aims to impart unskilled youth particularly with vocational and artisanal trade skills for sustainable livelihoods and the success of the first phase of the Online Digital Marketing and Entrepreneurship training program which saw 3000 youth trained to initiate their own businesses leading them to become self-reliant.

Whilst wishing the youth a happy celebration, Mr. Asigri further urged the youth not to be indifferent but to assume a frontline role in supporting His Excellency the President, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo to realize his vision to combat corruption in all its forms and stated that the Authority has taken note of a recent report by Metogu Anti-Corruption Survey that emphasized the positive steps taken by government thus far, such as the passing into law and establishment of the Office of the Special Prosecutor, strengthening of the Public Procurement Act and ensuring that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) becomes more effective and viable as remarkable achievements.

Notable activities planned for the commemoration of the day include roundtable discussions in all the regions that will feature a panel of resource persons on the topic of corruption with a young person as moderator.

The day shall also afford the Authority the opportunity to shed more light on the status of the review of the 2010 National Youth Policy, which is currently ongoing.
Lastly, Mr. Asigri entreated the general public, especially the youth to actively participate in the events of the day in their various communities.

The sub-theme for this year’s celebration is “The Youth and the Fight against Corruption” a local rendition of the continental theme “Raising Youth Voices against Corruption in Africa”.